Can someone explain...

aggieamd

why some parents take their 4-month olds (or younger) to Six Flags or other amusement parks? DH and I went to Six Flags today (while MIL watched Caleb) and saw so many babies being carried around by their parents. Some were in strollers, some were asleep in their parents arms, but all of them looked overheated, sleepy, and way too young to be at an amusement park. Maybe it's just me (and DH) but I don't see the point of bringing a baby to an amusement park. They can't ride rides and you can't ride rides because someone has to hold the baby. I understand that you may have older children, but it would seem to make more sense to find a babysitter for LO and take the older kids out for the day. Maybe this is flameable, but I honestly don't see the reasoning.

vbarnie

I agree with you. I also saw this at the state fair this weekend. =( I felt so bad for those babies. 

greengirl0909

I would agree 100%  LO is the first grandbaby on both sides in our family and we've gotten some flack because we've skipped some "traditions" this year, but we did what we felt was best for LO.  I don't like him to be held all day, I want him to have a chance to stretch out and relax some and I hate for him to spend too much time in the car seat.  When we had him, we knew we'd be giving up some things and that is fine with us.  The only time I forsee having problems is if we have older/younger kids and I'm still BF.  It's so much easier to take baby along and BF as opposed to pumping and storing.  Still, I worry about heat and want to keep LO safe!

alltwistedup

It doesn't make sense to me. Not only do I think lo would be uncomfortable... I WOULD BE! lol That sounds exhausting. But heck to each his own.

aggieamd

Yeah, I guess it just seems too hot to have a baby out for such a long period of time. Plus, it doesn't seem like it would be fun for the baby or the parents. DH and I were talking about how we can't wait until DS is old enough to come with us and have fun, but that won't be until he's tall enough to enjoy some of the rides.

Star, I can imagine the importance of taking your LO somewhere nostalgic. I assume NY summers aren't as hot as they are here in Texas, so that probably wasn't as much of a concern. Maybe the parents we saw weren't making their trip an all day thing. I can't imagine 10+ hours of having DS outside in the heat. But...as PP said, to each his own.

PrincessLinLin

I took DS to disney when he was about 1 month. We actually were able to ride quite a few rides with him. Normally I would not take him but FIL and his GF were in town and begged us to come along, and we had no one to babysit. DS ended up LOVING the tiki bird show so we sat through it 4 times. It was very hot but we took a ton of breaks and gave him extra BM and formula which he was happy to have straight out of the cooler. What we did may be flammable but it was fun for all of us. I was the only one who really suffered walking around an amusement park 1 month after having a c-section. 

mrstarawalsh

I made a choice before I ever had my first child that my babies would not prevent me from going anywhere/ doing anything I wanted to (within reason). I'm of the mindset that early exposure to lots of environments early on will help them adapt and get used to things/ know how to behave. I can take DS ANYWHERE without issue. I took him to six flags before his 2nd birthday. He loved it. I have a picture of him "riding" a pony when he was 4 months old at the fair. We have fun together as a family and simply the act of us all being together enhances the experience. I couldn't imagine making a family trip and leaving one of my LO's with a sitter. Its seriously not THAT hard to deal with an infant in a setting like that, and generally if they're well hydrated and shaded they do pretty well! Id prefer to utilize my sitter for a night out sans all kiddos not to exclude a vital family member from a family outing.

MrsBalletStar05

We haven't done this - but we would.  Daddy and DS#1 can ride rides and I'd hang out with the baby (I don't do rides anyways). We would all go because it is a family outing, and the point is to all spend time together. 

 

Of course the babies look sleepy.  They are babies. 

 

DS#2 likes walks, being outside, and people watching.   It may not be something you'd do with your child, but we'd do it.  No huge deal.

miaomi

As long as the baby is not overheating and not getting sunburned, I don't think it's a big deal.  We haven't ever left Livy with a sitter and I don't see the need to.  Sure, Troy and I may decide we'd like to do a dinner with just the two of us and leave her with my Mom, but for the most part she comes everywhere with us.  We own our own buisness and she is with Troy or I every day.  We love doing new things with her and she loves the socialization. 

We talked about the state fair, but ended up doing something else.  We took Livy on vacay with us and did so many fun things.  Wouldn't have it any other way.  No need to judge...

sucredee

mrstarawalsh:

I made a choice before I ever had my first child that my babies would not prevent me from going anywhere/ doing anything I wanted to (within reason). I'm of the mindset that early exposure to lots of environments early on will help them adapt and get used to things/ know how to behave.

This, we went to the State Fair this weekend and yes it was hot. We went for 4 hours and spent lots of time in the shade and the cooler indoor buildings. She BF twice while there and was fine. She only fussed briefly a couple of times but she does that at home too. If we stayed in every time it was hot we wouldn't make it out of the house until October.....

IrishBrideND

I love the over reactions here. Just because someone thinks its ridiculous (for the most part) to drag an infant around a theme park all day doesn't mean they think you should stay inside until October. Sheesh.

I agree. I grew up near Disney. I won't take her until she can understand/appreciate it. I don't get the point.

And, crazy, but I don't think babies belong every where. If that means I'm "excluding a vital family member" than so be it. I plan to go to Harry Potter World this December. I'm not dragging DD around just because I feel like she should be there, even though she certainly doesn't care.

 

eta: star's example is a good one of a time I can understand it.

kate930

IrishBrideND:

I love the over reactions here. Just because someone thinks its ridiculous (for the most part) to drag an infant around a theme park all day doesn't mean they think you should stay inside until October. Sheesh.

I know you haven't spent much time on this board, but are you really surprised?

ecu1995

I think it is fine within reason, all day long in 100 degrees on black asphalt at an amusement park is hard on anyone, esp an infant.  We took our LO this summer to Busch Gardens, he was one month old and was in the stroller....but...we went in the evening when it was much cooler, and Grandma stayed with him while we went and rode rides.

We just took our LO to a football game this weekend, it was a 7pm game and we only stayed for the 1st quarter, then I left while my DH stayed with the other kids until 1/2 time.  Baby Jack LOVED all the commotion and looking around at everything!

mrstarawalsh

IrishBrideND:

I love the over reactions here. Just because someone thinks its ridiculous (for the most part) to drag an infant around a theme park all day doesn't mean they think you should stay inside until October. Sheesh.

I agree. I grew up near Disney. I won't take her until she can understand/appreciate it. I don't get the point.

And, crazy, but I don't think babies belong every where. If that means I'm "excluding a vital family member" than so be it. I plan to go to Harry Potter World this December. I'm not dragging DD around just because I feel like she should be there, even though she certainly doesn't care.

 

eta: star's example is a good one of a time I can understand it.

Yes, but see you only have ONE child. So if your idea of a good time is without the burden of an infant, that's cool. However, for us, a family outing is the whole family. I'm not going to leave my breeastfed DD behind every time we want to do something fun just becaause someone else can't handle an infant in such a setting. Pumping beforehand, leaving with a sitter, then pumping while I'm out is not my idea of a good time.

epona3

I guess I'm a guilty one!  I've taken DD to an amusement park and the state fair! (I've also taken her camping, miniature golfing, hiking and to a dog agility trial!)

The amusement park was really little (Arnold's Park, if you know it), and we were with our friends and their 10 year old DD.  We spent about 2-3 hours there.  I think it was a fun walk for her and we got to get out and play some skee ball.  I don't like rides anyway, so it was more like a long stroll for us, while we chatted, played goofy games and watched friend's DD and DH ride the rides.  It was a beautiful cool day, and she seemed to like looking around at everything (and me taking dorky pictures of her in those big cutouts of people with a hole for you to put your face in...)

At the State Fair, again, we felt like it was a place to take her for a good long walk and see stuff.  We pushed her around in her big stoller (without the carseat) so she wouldn't get all hot.  We were there from 8-3, and if it got too hot, there were plenty of airconditioned buildings to go wander around in.  There were also plenty of places to sit and nurse her, and the weather was gorgeous!  We left once it got too hot and crowded.

Yes, she's probably be just as happy walking around the block for 7 hours, or hanging out at home and she won't remember it, but we wanted to go and don't feel like there's a good reason to leave her behind if we don't have to.  She's a pretty laid back baby, so she doesn't bother anyone and we like having her with us.  I also think it's important to get kids out and about as much as possible so they're used to new situations and hopefully she'll be a little less difficult in public later on.

IrishBrideND

mrstarawalsh:

IrishBrideND:

I love the over reactions here. Just because someone thinks its ridiculous (for the most part) to drag an infant around a theme park all day doesn't mean they think you should stay inside until October. Sheesh.

I agree. I grew up near Disney. I won't take her until she can understand/appreciate it. I don't get the point.

And, crazy, but I don't think babies belong every where. If that means I'm "excluding a vital family member" than so be it. I plan to go to Harry Potter World this December. I'm not dragging DD around just because I feel like she should be there, even though she certainly doesn't care.

 

eta: star's example is a good one of a time I can understand it.

Yes, but see you only have ONE child. So if your idea of a good time is without the burden of an infant, that's cool. However, for us, a family outing is the whole family. I'm not going to leave my breeastfed DD behind every time we want to do something fun just becaause someone else can't handle an infant in such a setting. Pumping beforehand, leaving with a sitter, then pumping while I'm out is not my idea of a good time.

You are being over dramatic. No one said you should leave your child home EVERY TIME you want to do a family outing. Relax.

And even with my ONE child, I still have to have to pump before and during. Is it fun? No. But its no more work than me having to find some place to feed and change her every two hours, either.

I don't judge those who do it., but I just found some of the responses to be over dramatic.

For example: I don't think the OP or anyone said they can't handle an infant in that setting.

northhillsbride

I hardly think people disagreeing with the OP is an overreaction. Why should the OP be the "right" one when there is no right or wrong here?

Well, I'm guilty too of peeving others off who don't agree with what I do with my kids. In my case, we had family visiting from Ireland and we took them to an amusement park for 5 hrs in July. DS#2 was in the stroller or in our arms the entire time; and he slept, ate, etc. with no problem whatsoever.

IrishBrideND

northhillsbride:

I hardly think people disagreeing with the OP is an overreaction. Why should the OP be the "right" one when there is no right or wrong here?

 

I never said the OP had to be right. I thought things like "well should I never take my infant on family outings?" and such as an overreaction. Thats not what the OP said.

And I didn't read that the OP was "peeved off" by infants being there.

 

but anywho, I'm done.

aggieamd

I didn't mean to cause so much controversy with my post. I, too, have taken DS on a vacation and we've spent a good amount of time outside with him. DH and I have even talked about taking him to the state fair in October. I guess the difference is that it will be cooler then and there's so many air conditioned buildings to take DS to if it gets too hot. Plus, we won't be riding any rides at the fair, just seeing shows and exhibits. I'm not really judging those who do choose to take their LOs to amusement parks, I just didn't think it would be much fun for the parents or the LO. But, yesterday there were no shows going on at S.F. (ie. not many places to cool down) and it was pretty hot. I was just concerned for the babies I saw with red, sweaty faces. Of course if a family plans to stay no more than a few hours you could say it's not much different than going for a walk to the park.

aggieamd

IrishBrideND:

northhillsbride:

I hardly think people disagreeing with the OP is an overreaction. Why should the OP be the "right" one when there is no right or wrong here?

 

I never said the OP had to be right. I thought things like "well should I never take my infant on family outings?" and such as an overreaction. Thats not what the OP said.

And I didn't read that the OP was "peeved off" by infants being there.

 

but anywho, I'm done.

Thanks for the defense Irish. You're right, I wasn't "peeved off" by babies being there yesterday, just genuinely curious why some choose to take their LOs to places like that at such a young age. I asked for explanations and I got some, which helped me see the "other side" of the argument. Does that mean I'll take DS to Six Flags next time we go? No. But I'm not judging people who do. To me it just doesn't seem like much fun. DH and I went alone together and if we had had DS with us it would have been hard to enjoy all the rides. I'm a big rollercoaster fan and don't like "sitting them out". Yesterday was only our second time out without DS for an extended period of time (the first time was to a Brad Paisley concert), so I don't feel like we've had to change much or give up doing much because he is young. Usually we bring him with us (shopping, going out to eat, etc.) but this time I didn't feel it'd be the best environment for him.

mrstarawalsh

No ones being overdramatic. I was specifically reffering to the situations the OP described (amusment parks, fairs, etc). Those places are family oriented places, I'm not going to get a sitter for them. I was also refferencing the OP's statement where she said she couldn't imagine it being much fun (ie. Not wanting to/cant handle an infant there). I think what's complete BS and overreaction is stating "I feel sorry for those poor babies" and "they looked miserable and sleepy". HELLO many infants sleep, a lot. Home, amusement park WTF ever. Its not up to anyone to judge where a child should and should not be at what age (unless its blatently an adult situation). In all honesty it has never crossed my mind to get a sitter for those kinds of things.

potluckbride

Who the F cares if parents choose to take their LO to an amusement park?

Seriously people, its geared to families.  It's not like we're talking about a stripclub.

 

 

ToBeMrsT

MrsBalletStar05:

We haven't done this - but we would.  Daddy and DS#1 can ride rides and I'd hang out with the baby (I don't do rides anyways). We would all go because it is a family outing, and the point is to all spend time together. 

 

Of course the babies look sleepy.  They are babies. 

 

DS#2 likes walks, being outside, and people watching.   It may not be something you'd do with your child, but we'd do it.  No huge deal.

I agree w/ this. 

kc031808

We took our DD to an amusement park when she was 3 months old. We take DD everywhere with us along with our DS. It really isn't that big of a deal. If you chose not to bring your children with you, then don't. Don't judge others that do. You have way too much time on your hands.

RadicalDreamer143

mrstarawalsh:

No ones being overdramatic. I was specifically reffering to the situations the OP described (amusment parks, fairs, etc). Those places are family oriented places, I'm not going to get a sitter for them. I was also refferencing the OP's statement where she said she couldn't imagine it being much fun (ie. Not wanting to/cant handle an infant there). I think what's complete BS and overreaction is stating "I feel sorry for those poor babies" and "they looked miserable and sleepy". HELLO many infants sleep, a lot. Home, amusement park WTF ever. Its not up to anyone to judge where a child should and should not be at what age (unless its blatently an adult situation). In all honesty it has never crossed my mind to get a sitter for those kinds of things.

That's being overdramatic, FYI.

I was reamed out by my mother for not bringing my infant to Disneyworld in July.  Guess what... my mother almost passed out from the heat, as did my 17 year old brother.  So yeah, inappropriate for an infant.

I don't think it's fun for an infant if the weather is too warm - I think an infant would much prefer to be in an a/c-cooled room playing peek-a-boo, not sweating in 100 degree weather.  That said, I'll be bringing Liam to the state fair.. because it's in October.  He likes people watching.  He doesn't like heat - so I suck it up, and only bring him out in the cooler evenings.  I'm hardly stuck in the house.

thomas&lynn

I can see your point but then again we thought it just fine to bring DS to the zoo (6 wks old) and the aquarium (2mos old) aloong with his 2yo sister. He did pretty much just sleep and there were a couple times where I stayed behind to feed him instead of going in to some exhibit but it was still fun. The baby didn't seem bothered by it as he did sleep a lot. Seemed comforted by all the noise, tbh lol.

msditz00

We are taking our son to Disney in December.  There are surprisingly few rides he can't go on. 

As for the "don't take him until he can remember" aspect, that wouldn't work in our family.  The poor kid would  be excluded from our Disney vacations for years!